The Sport Matrix: Wednesday 26 November 2014

Klopp dismisses link with Arsenal

Borussia Dortmund manager Jürgen Klopp has dismissed the notion he might move to the Premier League, following an interview he gave last week. Klopp, whose side face Arsenal tonight, said: “The only [foreign] language I can speak is English. That’s all I said. I don’t think about my future in this moment.” Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, meanwhile, remains defiant in the face of criticism.

Finn set to miss ODI with injury

Steve Finn’s niggling groin injury will prevent him being selected for England’s opening one-day international against Sri Lanka today. He went through gym exercises last night and did not look in discomfort, but England will not risk him. Captain Alastair

Cook confirmed that Moeen Ali would open the batting today, as the team look to take advantage of Sri Lanka’s poor form, having recently lost 5-0 in India.

Hamilton: McLaren must keep Button

Lewis Hamilton has called on McLaren boss Ron Dennis to do the “smart” thing and keep Jenson Button at the team next season. Button heads into F1’s off-season still unsure whether his 15-year career in the sport is over. “He [Button] has proven time and again he is still a worthy competitor and a valuable asset for any team to have,” said Hamilton, fresh from clinching his second world title.

Henry’s brain scare leads to heart operation

The Ireland flanker Chris Henry has had an operation to repair a defect on his heart wall after a temporary blockage was discovered in a small blood vessel in his brain, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said yesterday.

The defect was found to be related to the blockage, which was discovered before Ireland’s victory over South Africa on 8 November, the statement said.

Henry was withdrawn from the starting line-up on the morning of the South Africa match with a suspected viral illness that was initially diagnosed as a severe migraine.

Henry is recovering from the operation, the statement said.

The chief executive of Henry’s club side Ulster, Shane Logan, was quoted by the BBC as saying that the province was “more optimistic than we were a week or two ago” about him making a return to professional rugby.

Sky helps start radical overhaul

Cycling’s leading teams have created a UK-based joint venture intended to make the sport better to watch. Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford played a key role in the formation of the group, called Velon. “It’s a big step towards the sport reaching its full potential,” he said.